A LEADING independent school has announced a £3m investment in music teaching Yarm School’s new facility will enhance further the school’s strong reputation for the performing arts.

The new Music School will contain specialist music classrooms, 10 instrumental tuition rooms, a drumming suite and a specialist recording studio.

There will also be a 132 seat lecture theatre which will have retractable seating, making it a flexible performance venue.

Drawings by Associated Architects show a modern building with flowing lines and a keyboard -like design.

Its modern design will complement the traditional architecture of the school’s main administration building. It will link to the Friarage on all three levels by a glass stairwell which affords a “loose” connection between the buildings.

Planning consent was granted recently and so the school will be inviting local building firms to tender for the project, with construction expected to begin this summer and to last for about a year.

A recent performance of Fame in the schools Princess Alexandra Auditorium thrilled an audience of 1,800 over three nights and the centre regularly hosts well-attended concerts by the school orchestra and other music groups.

Last year 17-year old pianist Sarah Gardner won a scholarship place at the Royal Academy of Music.

Headmaster, David Dunn, said: “I am thrilled about this substantial investment in our new music performance centre. This commitment will help to cement our position as a centre of excellence in music and performing arts, with our superb new dance studio, studio theatre and auditorium. The Music School provides ample opportunities for pupils to express themselves in music, develop their self-esteem and allow them to grow as people. “